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SYNTHETIC POLYMERS
In 1930, a chemist was testing a rubbery polymer found it hardened the wrong way, and PVC moved into pipes, raincoats, and records- In 1943, he was trying to solve a World War II crisis, but a failed experiment accidentally created one of the most famous toys ever made
- In 1934, a chemist pulled a sticky polymer into a thread, and nylon moved toward everyday life
- In 1965, a chemist expected a routine polymer solution and got a bizarre cloudy liquid instead: It became KevlarIn 1965, the world of materials science was forever changed by scientist Stephanie Kwolek, who stumbled upon a peculiar cloudy polymer mixt...26 May, 2026, 05.23 PM IST
- In 1907, a chemist tried replacing shellac for cables and searched for a better wire coating, which ended up creating the world’s first synthetic plasticA chemist named Leo Baekeland sought an alternative to shellac in 1907. His research led to Bakelite, the first synthetic plastic. This mat...23 May, 2026, 06.43 PM IST
- In 1943, researchers trying to fix America’s rubber crisis unexpectedly led to the creation of Silly PuttyBorn from a wartime quest for rubber, Silly Putty emerged as an unexpected, stretchy, and bouncy material. Initially deemed unsuitable for ...21 May, 2026, 08.18 PM IST
- Ever wondered how erasers actually work? The answer might surprise youPencil marks disappear thanks to molecular science and heat. Graphite sticks to paper via weak forces. Erasers lift graphite due to stronge...21 May, 2026, 02.33 PM IST
- A flash of blue light just solved one of drug development's biggest puzzles, here's all about itScientists at the University of Münster report a major advance in light-powered chemistry for housane molecules on May 20, 2026. Using phot...20 May, 2026, 07.57 PM IST
- In 1965, a strange, cloudy solution in Stephanie Kwolek’s lab lead to the invention of KevlarA seemingly failed experiment in the 1960s led to the creation of Kevlar, a fiber five times stronger than steel. Chemist Stephanie Kwolek'...20 May, 2026, 04.36 PM IST
- In 1926, a failed rubber coating experiment and a strange elastic solid accidentally changed the future of plasticsIn 1926, chemist Waldo Semon accidentally discovered how to make polyvinyl chloride flexible. This breakthrough transformed manufacturing a...19 May, 2026, 04.34 PM IST
- Specialty chemicals: Is China still the same threat, or is this a contrarian moment? 7 stocks to be brought back on the watchlistWhen it comes to the Indian speciality chemicals sector, China and its dumping matters. But there have been subtle but significant changes ...13 May, 2026, 12.49 PM IST
- Who is Richard Lewer? Melbourne-based artist wins Archibald Prize 2026 with powerful portrait of Pitjantjatjara elder Iluwanti KenMelbourne artist Richard Lewer has won the prestigious Archibald Prize. His winning artwork is a portrait of Iluwanti Ken, a respected Pitj...09 May, 2026, 11.08 AM IST
- The Laundry Habit That’s Secretly Damaging Your ClothesYour clothes wear out more from washing than from wearing. Hot water and long cycles damage fabrics and release microfibers. Hard water als...23 Apr, 2026, 05.11 PM IST
- The Surprising Reason Your Clothes Might Be Shedding More Than You ThinkLaundry habits can harm the environment. Washing synthetic clothes releases tiny plastic fibers called microfibers into our water. These fi...14 Apr, 2026, 06.39 PM IST
- Love tea? Your daily brew could be serving up billions of micro- and nanoplasticsRecent studies reveal that steeping tea bags in boiling water releases billions of microplastic and nanoplastic particles. These tiny plast...07 Apr, 2026, 05.58 PM IST
- Cold Water Laundry Secret: The Only Simple Way To Stop Synthetic Microfibers From Breaking DownWashing clothes in cold water significantly reduces the release of synthetic microfibers, tiny plastic fragments that pollute waterways. St...03 Apr, 2026, 05.36 PM IST
- IIT Guwahati invents biodegradable low-cost composite wound dressing filmThis material, based on the integration of a synthetic polymer, is non-toxic in nature and will create a moist environment that would enabl...09 Aug, 2021, 09.16 PM IST
- Guar production to shrink in India owing to synthetic polymer use by US oil industryThe area under Guar stood around 40 lakh hectares in 2016 against 55 lakh hectares in 2017. Sowing of guar that extends till first week of ...14 Jul, 2017, 08.19 PM IST
- Plastic-eating fungus may solve garbage problemBeijing, April 1 (IANS) In a discovery that may spell good news for the environment, a novel fungus capable of degrading polyurethane (PU) ...01 Apr, 2017, 05.40 PM IST
- Centre weighs duty cut on petrochemicalsIn an effort to contain prices of a host of items ranging from detergents and packing materials to synthetic textiles and fashion accessori...14 Jul, 2008, 12.44 AM IST
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